She underwent surgery to remove her spleen in October 2016 due to an autoimmune disease she was diagnosed with earlier that year. She took two months off from training and returned to full training in January 2017. (uol.com.br, 21 Oct 2016; swimswam.com, 17 Jul 2017)

Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs

Before major international competitions she like to invent a new hairstyle. (uol.com.br, 26 Mar 2016)

Sporting philosophy / motto

"When you have clear goals, it is easier to train and swim behind them. Therefore I believe in taking it step by step." (sesisp.org.br, 09 Sep 2014)

Awards and honours

In October 2018 the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame [IMSHOF] announced that she would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. (outdoorswimmer.com, 03 Oct 2018)

In 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 she was named Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year by the International Swimming Federation [FINA]. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 16 Oct 2018; fina.org, 02 Dec 2017)

She was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Brazilian Olympic Committee [COB] in 2015. (anamarcela.com.br, 18 Dec 2015)

She was named Marathon Swimmer of the Year by the Brazilian Olympic Committee [COB] in 2014 and 2015. (rio2016.com, 16 Dec 2014; anamarcela.com.br, 18 Dec 2015)

Ambitions

To win medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. (atribuna.com.br, 16 Aug 2017)